Iranian Atheist Begs: 'don't Send Me Back Home ... I'll Be Killed'

believe

Commoner
Wanderer
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/...dont-send-me-back-home-ill-be-killed.25565021

Vice-chairman of Scottish Secular Society says if he is deported he will be tried as a traitor against Islam

Sunday 12 October 2014

THE nephew of a former Iranian deputy defence minister who has become a prominent and outspoken atheist in Scotland has made a desperate appeal not to be returned to his homeland, claiming his life is now at risk as he will be seen as a "traitor of Islam".


Ramin Forghani, the vice-chairman of the Scottish Secular Society which campaigns for the separation of church and state, and promotes atheism, has appealed to the Home Office to prevent his forced return to Iran after the Court of Session rejected his asylum case.

Forghani, 25, has been in Glasgow for two years working on a masters degree in environmental engineering at the University of Strathclyde. He applied for asylum while staying on a student visa, saying he has turned his back on Islam, founded the Iranian Atheists Association and is chairman of Ex-Muslims Scotland.

He has told the Home Office his uncle was Alireza Akbari, once an adviser to Iran's National Security Council, former general with the Revolutionary Guard and a former deputy defence minister.

Forghani said he had been involved in the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests against the disputed victory of the president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and in support of opposition candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

Mohammad Khatami, a former president of Iran who served in the post for eight years, initially stood as a candidate for the 2009 elections but withdrew from the race to back Mousavi, seen as moderate in tone.

"So far they have said no to my call for asylum," he said. "My claim is based on my fear of going back, because of my uncle's position and my relationship with him, and of course I am seen as a traitor."

He pointed to the case of Soheil Arabi, 30, who last month was sentenced to death after being found guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad on Facebook.

Arabi was arrested along with his wife last year by the Revolutionary Guards Corps. He is said to have written "material without thinking and in poor psychological condition".

Article 262 of the Islamic Penal Code states insulting the Prophet carries a punishment of death. However, article 264 of the Penal Code says if a suspect claims to have said the insulting words in anger, in quoting someone, or by mistake, his death sentence will be converted to 74 lashes.

Forghani, a speaker at the two-day Secular Conference in London which opens today, said he is "afraid to go home to my country of Iran".

He added: "They say I am not in any danger because of my relationship with my uncle and my activities during the protests. I have been talking about my beliefs and opposition to the system.

"The religious are drunk on success, seizing every opportunity to expand and proselytise in the face of the shrinking protections of secularism. It might start with a Trojan horse in Birmingham finding their way into a school to indoctrinate young children, but it leads to a situation like in the Islamic Republic of Iran, where streets once filled with free woman choosing religion are now filled with the bowed heads of women in compulsory hijab who are bound by it.

"I lived and grew up in the Iran ruled by an Islamic regime. After moving to Scotland to continue my education I find myself free, enjoying my life in a multicultural and tolerant society. I want to challenge Islam before it tightens its grip on the world around me and silences us all."

The Home Office was unable to comment on the case.

has anyone here experienced religious persecution or felt like they have been mistreated because of their religion?
 
I've been mistreated all my life. My motivation to succeed comes from that. :cool:
I was a very weak person back then and everything that was bad in my life made me a stronger.
There was this one time. After leaving driver's ed class, a black man in a black gangsta type of car saw me walking in a yellow robe (I was a Buddhist monk at the time) and said to me, "what the fuck you supposed to be man" and drove off chuckling. One time I was taking the bus and a black Christian dude tried to convert me to Christianity. At the temple where I stayed, there were about 20 monks. Among them was a white monk claiming to be a monk from Korea (this dood was crazy) and he was really mean to me. Guy was fucking nuts. I lived next door to him, and I heard him fucking some other dood in his room. He shared a room with another white guy who wasn't a monk at all. Being the sneaky guy I was, I listen through the wall and I heard fucking sounds, no moaning, just "boom boom." One of the people put glue in his door lock, we hated him so bad! I wanted to jump him when I disrobed and left the temple. My uncle stopped me and told me that's wrong. I didn't know better at the time. I wanted to jump everybody, that was the just the way the hood works. You don't like someone, you jumped them or "catch them slipping." Anyways, this crazy monk had the nerve to went to my school and talk to my principle about religion. My principle call me into his office and told me about it. We both talked hella shit about him!

oh yeah, I know...I write like a third grader. I'm not a writer, I'm a RYDER! hehe

I am the direct student of the abbot monk at the time. The abbot monk was traveling one day, out of state to "bon bat" for temple rent money. He entrusted me to look after his "throne," or bedroom when he's gone for weeks at a time. I think I told this story before but I almost burned down the whole damn temple. White guy was knocking at the door when the whole damn temple was up in smoke! Boy was he pissed. I didn't open the door because I was instructed to not let anyone in his "throne." So I didn't it, as far as I can remember. I turned off the heater, which was the cause of the fire! Honestly, I don't remember if I open to door for him or not! Too long ago.

I remember when he came back, he gave me 100 dollars. I snatched it from his hands. One of the crazy Khmer uncles yelled at me "show me manners, you're a monk" lolz. He's my buddy, guy had a gambling problem, dirt poor, but I loved him man....Yes, I had loved for Khmer people back then....
 
Last edited:

Sopheaktra

Level 1
Wanderer
I've been mistreated all my life. My motivation to succeed comes from that. :cool:
I was a very weak person back then and everything that was bad in my life made me a stronger.
There was this one time. After leaving driver's ed class, a black man in a black gangsta type of car saw me walking in a yellow robe (I was a Buddhist monk at the time) and said to me, "what the fuck you supposed to be man" and drove off chuckling. One time I was taking the bus and a black Christian dude tried to convert me to Christianity. At the temple where I stayed, there were about 20 monks. Among them was a white monk claiming to be a monk from Korea (this dood was crazy) and he was really mean to me. Guy was fucking nuts. I lived next door to him, and I heard him fucking some other dood in his room. He shared a room with another white guy who wasn't a monk at all. Being the sneaky guy I was, I listen through the wall and I heard fucking sounds, no moaning, just "boom boom." One of the people put glue in his door lock, we hated him so bad! I wanted to jump him when I disrobed and left the temple. My uncle stopped me and told me that's wrong. I didn't know better at the time. I wanted to jump everybody, that was the just the way the hood works. You don't like someone, you jumped them or "catch them slipping." Anyways, this crazy monk had the nerve to went to my school and talk to my principle about religion. My principle call me into his office and told me about it. We both talked hella shit about him!

oh yeah, I know...I write like a third grader. I'm not a writer, I'm a RYDER! hehe

I am the direct student of the abbot monk at the time. The abbot monk was traveling one day, out of state to "bon bat" for temple rent money. He entrusted me to look after his "throne," or bedroom when he's gone for weeks at a time. I think I told this story before but I almost burned down the whole damn temple. White guy was knocking at the door when the whole damn temple was up in smoke! Boy was he pissed. I didn't open the door because I was instructed to not let anyone in his "throne." So I didn't it, as far as I can remember. I turned off the heater, which was the cause of the fire! Honestly, I don't remember if I open to door for him or not! Too long ago.

I remember when he came back, he gave me 100 dollars. I snatched it from his hands. One of the crazy Khmer uncles yelled at me "show me manners, you're a monk" lolz. He's my buddy, guy had a gambling problem, dirt poor, but I loved him man....Yes, I had loved for Khmer people back then....

I like you story bro, it's just funny !!! You have had a lot of funny experiences !!!!

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/...dont-send-me-back-home-ill-be-killed.25565021
has anyone here experienced religious persecution or felt like they have been mistreated because of their religion?

to answer you question, I have personnaly never been mistreated because of my religion, but back in middle school, when I was just arrived in France, I did not speak one work in France (in English neither), so there were some guys who said " Chinese Ching Chong.... " or some bull shit like that because they thought I were Chinese. In the fire time when they mock and make fun about my name, or my eyes ... I laugh with them because I do not understand what they said, but after some month (arround 4 or 5 month) I began to understand and were not very please, I told them to stop but they continued to tease me, so someday in my sport training class there was one guy who began to tease me again and again, I were so angry that I nearly broken his arm and I shooted very strongly the door. After this, I decided to jump every guy who mocked me .... so it was calm for me during my 4 years in French Middle School. By the way I was (am still) a good fighter !!! all the guys in my school were deeply respected me !!!
 

Marvelous

Commoner
I've been mistreated all my life. My motivation to succeed comes from that. :cool:
I was a very weak person back then and everything that was bad in my life made me a stronger.
There was this one time. After leaving driver's ed class, a black man in a black gangsta type of car saw me walking in a yellow robe (I was a Buddhist monk at the time) and said to me, "what the fuck you supposed to be man" and drove off chuckling. One time I was taking the bus and a black Christian dude tried to convert me to Christianity. At the temple where I stayed, there were about 20 monks. Among them was a white monk claiming to be a monk from Korea (this dood was crazy) and he was really mean to me. Guy was fucking nuts. I lived next door to him, and I heard him fucking some other dood in his room. He shared a room with another white guy who wasn't a monk at all. Being the sneaky guy I was, I listen through the wall and I heard fucking sounds, no moaning, just "boom boom." One of the people put glue in his door lock, we hated him so bad! I wanted to jump him when I disrobed and left the temple. My uncle stopped me and told me that's wrong. I didn't know better at the time. I wanted to jump everybody, that was the just the way the hood works. You don't like someone, you jumped them or "catch them slipping." Anyways, this crazy monk had the nerve to went to my school and talk to my principle about religion. My principle call me into his office and told me about it. We both talked hella shit about him!

oh yeah, I know...I write like a third grader. I'm not a writer, I'm a RYDER! hehe

I am the direct student of the abbot monk at the time. The abbot monk was traveling one day, out of state to "bon bat" for temple rent money. He entrusted me to look after his "throne," or bedroom when he's gone for weeks at a time. I think I told this story before but I almost burned down the whole damn temple. White guy was knocking at the door when the whole damn temple was up in smoke! Boy was he pissed. I didn't open the door because I was instructed to not let anyone in his "throne." So I didn't it, as far as I can remember. I turned off the heater, which was the cause of the fire! Honestly, I don't remember if I open to door for him or not! Too long ago.

I remember when he came back, he gave me 100 dollars. I snatched it from his hands. One of the crazy Khmer uncles yelled at me "show me manners, you're a monk" lolz. He's my buddy, guy had a gambling problem, dirt poor, but I loved him man....Yes, I had loved for Khmer people back then....
This is hilarious paoun Happy. Monk bon bat in America? And since when monk in America have student (kone sers loak)?
 

Hamster

Level 2
Swordsman
Wanderer
What if one day they (the government people) decide to get rid of religion altogether? What would the world be like, I wonder.
 

Sopheaktra

Level 1
Wanderer
What if one day they (the government people) decide to get rid of religion altogether? What would the world be like, I wonder.

If one day that happen so people will just creat an other kind of faith !!! humanity needs to believe to something to make/put some meaning about its life !!!

Some will believe to Technology (faith to the Technology Supreme ....). Some will have faith in Humanity itself, some will turn to the faith in Nature ...
 

believe

Commoner
Wanderer
I've been mistreated all my life. My motivation to succeed comes from that. :cool:
I was a very weak person back then and everything that was bad in my life made me a stronger.
There was this one time. After leaving driver's ed class, a black man in a black gangsta type of car saw me walking in a yellow robe (I was a Buddhist monk at the time) and said to me, "what the fuck you supposed to be man" and drove off chuckling. One time I was taking the bus and a black Christian dude tried to convert me to Christianity. At the temple where I stayed, there were about 20 monks. Among them was a white monk claiming to be a monk from Korea (this dood was crazy) and he was really mean to me. Guy was fucking nuts. I lived next door to him, and I heard him fucking some other dood in his room. He shared a room with another white guy who wasn't a monk at all. Being the sneaky guy I was, I listen through the wall and I heard fucking sounds, no moaning, just "boom boom." One of the people put glue in his door lock, we hated him so bad! I wanted to jump him when I disrobed and left the temple. My uncle stopped me and told me that's wrong. I didn't know better at the time. I wanted to jump everybody, that was the just the way the hood works. You don't like someone, you jumped them or "catch them slipping." Anyways, this crazy monk had the nerve to went to my school and talk to my principle about religion. My principle call me into his office and told me about it. We both talked hella shit about him!

oh yeah, I know...I write like a third grader. I'm not a writer, I'm a RYDER! hehe

I am the direct student of the abbot monk at the time. The abbot monk was traveling one day, out of state to "bon bat" for temple rent money. He entrusted me to look after his "throne," or bedroom when he's gone for weeks at a time. I think I told this story before but I almost burned down the whole damn temple. White guy was knocking at the door when the whole damn temple was up in smoke! Boy was he pissed. I didn't open the door because I was instructed to not let anyone in his "throne." So I didn't it, as far as I can remember. I turned off the heater, which was the cause of the fire! Honestly, I don't remember if I open to door for him or not! Too long ago.

I remember when he came back, he gave me 100 dollars. I snatched it from his hands. One of the crazy Khmer uncles yelled at me "show me manners, you're a monk" lolz. He's my buddy, guy had a gambling problem, dirt poor, but I loved him man....Yes, I had loved for Khmer people back then....

so you said you had love for khmer people back then. what about now?
 

believe

Commoner
Wanderer
What if one day they (the government people) decide to get rid of religion altogether? What would the world be like, I wonder.

chaos. immorality. pain. grief. "lord of the flies"-like kind of societies would be prevalent in all 7 continents.

i'm an atheist and i feel like many people, without some kind of structured life guided by some higher being, will turn to the dark side and live in utter selfishness.

this is just a thought right now. my feelings could change later.

If one day that happen so people will just creat an other kind of faith !!! humanity needs to believe to something to make/put some meaning about its life !!!

Some will believe to Technology (faith to the Technology Supreme ....). Some will have faith in Humanity itself, some will turn to the faith in Nature ...

absolutely. i totally agree. people WILL create something.
 
chaos. immorality. pain. grief. "lord of the flies"-like kind of societies would be prevalent in all 7 continents.

i'm an atheist and i feel like many people, without some kind of structured life guided by some higher being, will turn to the dark side and live in utter selfishness.

this is just a thought right now. my feelings could change later.



absolutely. i totally agree. people WILL create something.
My faith is put into Capitalism.
I no longer believe in Communism or Socialism.
Right now, I'm a democrat, one day, I hope to become a republican.
 

Sopheaktra

Level 1
Wanderer
My faith is put into Capitalism.
I no longer believe in Communism or Socialism.
Right now, I'm a democrat, one day, I hope to become a republican.

Bro put your faith in me, I will fulfill all your wish (if it is not so much :cool:, I must keep some for another people !!! :whistling:)
 

Hamster

Level 2
Swordsman
Wanderer
chaos. immorality. pain. grief. "lord of the flies"-like kind of societies would be prevalent in all 7 continents.

i'm an atheist and i feel like many people, without some kind of structured life guided by some higher being, will turn to the dark side and live in utter selfishness.

this is just a thought right now. my feelings could change later.
Agreed.
 

Hamster

Level 2
Swordsman
Wanderer
Do not talk crap about my culture. How dare you! The Khmer mind is a complicated one; we must embrace and cultivate it.
Lol. I meant it as a compliment. Not saying that we Khmers aren't intelligent or deep. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe simple-minded is not the right word.
 
Lol. I meant it as a compliment. Not saying that we Khmers aren't intelligent or deep. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe simple-minded is not the right word.
pfft...don't give me that crap lol...I look at you differently now bro. You are not as cool as I thought! You have been unmasked! feel me?
 
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